The Department of Natural Resources conducted an aerial survey last week. Agency biologist Dan Goltz counted 434 adult and juvenile birds between the Petenwell Flowage and the Mississippi River. That compares with 186 eagles recorded in last year's survey.

The eagles were concentrated from the Prairie du Sac dam west to U.S. Highway 14.

Goltz said eagles are searching for fish. Their numbers vary greatly along the river from year to year depending on ice conditions.

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